Fans of the Detroit Pistons watched the Pelicans wheel and deal on the first night of the 2025 NBA Draft and it brought back memories of Troy Weaver, who is now the GM in New Orleans under Pistons' legend Joe Dumars.
The Pelicans traded up from the 23rd pick to take center Derik Queen, giving the Hawks the rights to Asa Newell and an unprotected pick in next year’s draft, which will be the better of New Orleans or Milwaukee.
Weaver paid a steep price that could backfire if one of the Pels or Bucks are bad next season, which isn’t entirely unlikely given their respective circumstances. The Pelicans are always a Zion Williamson injury away from being a lottery team and the Bucks will be without Damian Lillard for most or all of the season.
It was a calculated gamble by Weaver, one he took several times while GM of the Pistons, when he identified a player he wanted and was aggressive to move up to get him. Weaver gave up a future first (that finally conveyed in this draft) to get Isaiah Stewart and also dealt to acquire center Jalen Duren in a deal that was finally completed yesterday.
The move for Queen fit Weaver’s modus operandi in several ways
Troy Weaver drafts: Eye for talent, centers and the D.C
Weaver did a solid job of drafting as GM of the Detroit Pistons, though that job is made much easier when you are perpetually choosing in the top five.
But he did choose Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Stewart, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren, the players that currently make up the Pistons’ core and he has to be given some credit for that.
Weaver never found a talent outside of the lottery and failed to hit on a single second-round pick or undrafted free agent in his time in charge of the Pistons’ roster, a failing that Trajan Langdon hopes to better in his first two drafts with Bobi Klintman and whoever the Pistons get with the 37th pick.
Weaver is also known for narrowing a focus on “his” guy and aggressively pursuing them, as he did with Stewart, Saddiq Bey and Jalen Duren.
He also has a fondness for players in the DC/Maryland area (does he scout outside of this region?) and did it again with Queen, who is from Baltimore and played his lone college season for Maryland.
You can debate the effectiveness of Weaver’s strategy, but one thing is certain: He took a huge risk here, as the 2026 Draft is billed as a good one and Pelicans fans will be livid if they end up losing a top pick and a chance at AJ Dybantsa, especially if Queen doesn’t pop right away.
The Pelicans already have a young center in Ives Missi, but Troy Weaver loves his centers, as he went through a slew of them in his time with the Pistons.
New Orleans and their new pick are now under pressure to be good right away, or the cost they paid could end up being devastating. Welcome to having Troy Weaver as your GM.